MORE senior Ipswich residents will be able to access financial support for essential items at their local Neighbourhood Centres as the Palaszczuk Government expands a vital service to ease cost of living pressures.
The extra funding as part of the Emergency Relief program will support residents experiencing immediate financial hardship.
It will also provide access to items such as food hampers, vouchers for essential items and transport, and contributions towards the payment of bills.
The 2023-24 State Budget delivers $4.25 million in food and emergency relief, including $3.3 million to extend and expand emergency relief throughout Queensland.
There are currently 88 providers delivering state-funded emergency relief services, including 35 Neighbourhood Centres.
This funding will increase the amount of emergency relief available to vulnerable Queenslanders and will also ensure that local state-funded neighbourhood centres will also have the opportunity to provide emergency relief.
Minister Leeanne Enoch said we know that many Queenslanders are doing it tough right now as the result of national cost of living pressures.
“The 2023 State Budget is focused squarely on tackling these pressures and helping Queenslanders make ends meet,” she said.
“Our government funds 128 Neighbourhood Centres, who have reported increased demand for emergency relief across the community.
“That’s why we doubled funding for emergency relief providers in 2022-23 and have committed a further $3.3 million in 2023-24.
“This will enable us to extend and expand the Emergency Relief program to more locations across Queensland.
“This investment increases the reach and availability of this relief and means more Queenslanders will be able to access essential supports such as food hampers, vouchers for fuel or transport, and contributions towards the payment of bills.
“Neighbourhood Centres can also link people in with appropriate financial and social support services to prevent future financial crisis.”
“Neighbourhood Centres are well known, trusted places for people to turn to when they need support.”
Local centres have been asked to seek the funding grants.
